Often the hardest part about planning a Thanksgiving meal is figuring how to cut costs without sacrificing the important stuff like taste or quality. It can be challenge but its definitely not impossible. Here are few ways I enjoy the holiday for less.
1. Don’t buy an enhanced turkey.
To cut costs on my thanksgiving turkey, I check label to make sure its not enhanced. This when the poultry has been injected with broth and flavor to boost the taste. However, it doesn’t really change the taste of the turkey and all that liquid just adds to the packages total weight. So in the end, you’ll end up shelling out more money for less meat. Stick with a regular turkey to get the most bang for your buck.
2. Save money by buying boxed wine.
Most people buy bottled wine but in my opinion, boxed wine tastes better and it costs less. Plus, if there’s any leftover, I can keep it in my refrigerator and it’ll still taste fresh. Boxed wine is also great for large groups because you wont have to worry about running out of wine.
3. Always swap before you buy.
Swapping ingredients can also help cut costs. When I have a recipe that calls for buying an extra ingredient that I don’t have, I just substitute it with something cheaper. The flavor stays the same and I don’t have to spend the extra money for one item.
4. Use what you got.
The most important thing I’ve learned over the years when trying to save on Thanksgiving spread, is use what I have. There’s no need to spend hundred of dollars on ingredients when I probably have that much in my pantry and refrigerator already. So before heading to the grocery store, see if you can use the items you already have. There are several sites that allow people to plug in the items they have and in exchange, they’ll offer dish ideas that incorporate those ingredients.
Thanksgiving is not about how much money you spend on food or how many fancy dishes you can prepare. Its about being thankful for what you have. That’s something that took me a long time to learn but once I realize the true meaning of Thanksgiving, I was able to enjoy it so much more. I stop stressing about food and just enjoyed spending time with my family and friends.